Death by Cop- 2024
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Tabitha Smith 1 of 2
Gender : Female
Age : 35
Race : White
Date : 02/14/2024
Location : Hiwassee River, Highway 60
City : Meigs County
County : Meigs
State : Tennessee
Agency : Meigs County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) :Unknown
Cause of Death : Drowned
Event : Drowned in patrol vehicle accident
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
Deputy Leonard had just arrested a female on a bridge who was fighting with a man when he disappeared from radio contact. His cruiser was found upside down submerged under mud and water in the Tennessee River. There was no trace of Deputy Leonard. His body was later found in the river.
Deputy Leonard was new in the area, having moved from NYC only a few months prior. It was 9 p.m. and dark. He was not familiar with the area. According to police, he was distracted radioing and texting when he went in the water.
A handcuffed female was found drowned in the backseat of the vehicle when the vehicle was found underwater upside down.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wvlt.tv/2024/02/16/body-missing-east-tennessee-deputy-found-officials-say/
